For some of us, the idea of an ideal holiday is staying at home and doing odd jobs around the house and garden. Luckily, the summertime is perfect for maintenance work for less fanatical handymen. Here you will find several typical summer jobs.
Go up on the roof!
It is a good practice to check your roof annually.
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Check whether all pans are still firmly in place. When pans shift during a storm, this can lead to leaks. They aren’t necessarily visible in the house but can still cause the roof boarding and battens to rot.
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Clean the gutter. Remove all dead leaves and check that water drains properly through the downspout. Don’t forget the gutters around a skylight, and check the lead seals around the chimney.
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Do you have solar panels? They provide the most energy in the summer, so make sure they are in top shape. Clean them thoroughly with a special cleaning agent for solar panels. Using a standard cleaning agent runs the risk of damaging the protective layer.
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Put your safety first. In any case, make sure you have a good, reliable ladder. Here you will find several tips for working safely with a ladder. Take a look at these professional fall protection products for optimal protection when working on the roof.
Paint the woodwork.
Every few years, window frames and other woodwork need a new coat of paint. Summer is the right time for this. The chance of rain is the smallest in these months, and you don’t have to get cold while working. Use the brush in the morning or evening, when the sun is not so strong. At temperatures above 25 degrees, the paint dries too quickly, which can cause blisters.
Check the facades.
Check that there are no holes and cracks in the masonry and jointing through which vermin and water can enter. You can also remove any deposits and graffiti from the walls with a high-pressure cleaner.
Clean the ventilation grilles.
The ventilation grilles at the top of the windows provide fresh air in the home. Clean them for effective operation. This also applies to the filters of a heat recovery unit and the extraction points of mechanical and balanced ventilation. You can do this with water and a cleaning agent.
Take precautions against burglars.
And for those who would rather go to a subtropical coast than stay at home doing odd jobs, here are a few tips to ward off burglars during your absence.
- The hardware. Security locks, floodlights, cameras, and alarm systems all help to reduce the risk of burglary drastically.
- Especially during your holiday, it is crucial that your house is as unattractive as possible for burglars. Make it look inhabited: do not close the curtains, and install a timer that provides lighting in the evening.
- Close and lock all windows, including the toilet window and skylight.
- Do not leave any items outside that could help burglars gain entry via the upper floor, such as ladders or scaffolding.
- See to it that someone will keep an eye on things and empty the mailbox daily.
